Cross-row cotton chopper



Se t.' 1927. V v p 13 H. A. TURNER CROSS ROW IOTTON CHOPPER Filed Nov.19. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 13,1927. i 1,642,217 1. H. A. TURNERGROSS ROW COTTONCHOPPR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV.. 19. 1926 H EEB A. Tu

attains@ Patented Sept. 13, 1927.

UNITED- srarast PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY' A. TURNER, OF FERRIDAY'Q. LOUISI'NA.

CROSS-ROW COTTONl CHOPPER.

Application filed November I9, 1:926. Serial No; 1493410..

rlilie present invention relates to=improve ments in ceti'on. choppers;and the primary object" ot .the invention is to: provide. an'A im provedcross row cotton chopper which: is

intended toy cultivate the cotton as it: chops toi a perfect stand5 adrilled ro'w of cotton.

A further object of the. invention'. is to provide an improvedcrossrow'cotton chopper embodying adjustable features whereby thedistanceI between thevl hills' may be varied7 and which implement willthorough"n lyl culti-vate between the formedf hills" thusf cause thesupporting ground engaging element to be disposed at locations betweenthe hills being formed andA thus eliminate possible injury to the plantsdesired' left in the hills..

still` further object of the invention. is-

to provide a cross row cotton chopper which willlbe of extremely simpie.andi durable construction, andl embodying elevating means whereby theground. penetrating implements maybe readily raised out of contact withthe ground when so desired- A Other ObjectisI and advantages of theinvention will be apparent during the courseA of the following detaileddescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forminga part of this specification` and. in which dra-wings:

Figure l is a top plan view of the' cotton chopper, showing' portionsbroken away forr illustrating certain details of construction.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the` cotton.-

chopper and' showing the ground! peneratingelcments in; a loweredoperative position.. .Figurev 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sec-V tion online 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure l is a fragmentary detail sec.- tional view showingthe mountingsfor certaiirA of the supporting shafts of the: implement and showing themanner in which the chopperi dises.; may be adjusted: for deterL miningthe distance. to be left between the.

hills; Y

Figure 5-y is a detail top planv view of the outer end.y of. oney of thelift arms for the sets.` of. stopper discs.

Figure 6;- is a transverse section on-V line- 6-1-6 of. Figure 7.,

Eisele 7 is an enlarged. detail. Section,

'taken substantially along the line 7 7 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is, a detail. sectional view online 8-8 of. F ig-ure. l andshowing. the manner ini whichY the forward end of. the skids. orrunners. may be. adjusted. toward and away from one another at theirforward ends.

Referring to the drawings in detail,. and

wherein similar reference. characters designate corresponding partsVthroughout the several vi.ews,the letter A designates a suit.; able.truck upon which is mounted. a plurality ofi liil-ling devices orchoppinr struc-- tures andl` cooperating culti-vators The letter D maydesignate a hanger frame,- and E- elevating means whereby the choppervstructures. B and culti-vators. C may be elevated to an inoperativeposition` The truck A, which may either beV formed: of. metalor" wood,ycomprises afraine 10 embodying. a,4 pair of parallel spaced apart siderails 1.1. connected adjacent their forward endl by suitable-crossbraces 12v andl 18 the cross brace. 13.Y beingY provided with an: edgepieceI 14:. Connecting the rear portionsI ofthe side rails 1l, isI asuitablef cross rail l5 provided adjacent cachend with` a! seriesi ofvertically arranged. apertures 1&6 for a. purpose to be? subsequentlyexplained. The frame. L0, isv supported by means ofy suitable upriglitslor posts 17T and 18, upon. skids or runners` 20- whichv aire ofsubstanftial-ly U-shape in cross-section and which may either be'`formed; of. wood. or othe-rsuit ably light material.. The. uprights 117,andf oneof which. abutsl` against the. underside. of each endr of thecrossf rail.- 15, have their lower' ends'suitab'ly anchored: in thebasey ofv therunners, 20 as. at 2.1,. while. thev uprights: 18. areconnected; with. the edge'piece 14. and

have: their lower ends suitably anchored inA the base of theirrespective runners as at:

22'.. Thusit. will bey seen that the skidsfor runners 20 are mountedY inparallel rela-tiontothe side rails 1l. These;I runners 20 arelocationwhereby they will move between the hills to be formed by the chopperstructures B. As before stated, the uprights 17 and 18 are rigidlysecured at their lower ends to the respective runners, Vand the rearportions of the runners may be adjusted t,o ward and away from oneanother by means of suitable bolts 211 which may be` passed through thedesired apertures 16 of the cross rail 15 and threaded into the upperend of the posts 17. The edge piece 14 of the cross rail 13 may beprovided with suitable apertures 25 through whichbolts 26 which extendthrough the post 18 may be passed rforadjustment of the front end of therunners. It is preferred that the rear end of the 'runners 20 terminatedirectly below the rear ends of the side rails 11 as illustrated inFigures 2 and 3.

A' tongue 27 may be rigidly connected in any suitable manner to themedial portions of the cross braces 12 and 13, and a suitable seat 28may be provided for the operator j of the implement.

A transporting` means H is provided for ready 'movement of the implementfrom place to place, and comprises a shaft 29 which extends transverselyof the truck with its ends mounted in suitable supports 30 carried bythe side rails 11. Pivotally mounted at each end of the shaft 29, out.-wardly of the side rails 11, is av lever 31 having an offset bracket A32provided below its pivotal connection for Yrotatable mounting ofsuitable ground wheels when the'levers 31 are swung forwardly, movetopositions below the runners 20' for elevating of the truck asillustrated in Figure l3. The levers 31 are mounted to swingindependently of one another so that one side of the machine may beraised at a time,

and when the levers areswung forwardly past dead center, engage suitableAstop blocks 34; carried by the side rails 11.

Mounted transversely of the frame 10, is' a Vcylindrical drag' shaft 35having its ends mounted in suitable brackets 36 supported below the siderails 11. This shafty 35may also be mounted at its central portion insuitable bracket supported below a center rail 37 arranged parallel withand at a point midway between the side rails 11.

Mounted at the rear end of the fra-me 10, and-extending parallel withthe shaft 35, is a two part rocker shaft embodying axially aligningsections 38 and 38. The opposed ends of the shaft sections, and whichare preferably square in cross section, are rotatably mounted insuitable bearings 39 secured to the upper side of the end rails 11,while the inner or adjacent ends of the aligning shaft sectionsarerotatably mounted in a suitable bearing 4() secured to the upper side ofthe center rail 37. Thus it will be seen that the shaft section 38 ispermitted to 33 which' Vaxis of the trunnions 54.

rotate independently of the shaft section 38 Referring now tothe hillingdevices or chopper structures B, and any desired number of whichmay beemployed for forming a desired' number of hills, each embodies a discbeam a1 having a forked head i-2 carried by its forward end, with thearms of Y the head pivotally mounted upon the transverse drag shaftThese forked heads 42 may be detachably secured to the disc beams 41 asby means of suitable bolts 113. Carried by the rear end of each of thedisc beams 11, is a bearing lock il'-, secured to the beam as by meansof a bolt Ll5, and provided at each. end of the block, are angular-lydisposed spindles 46,` the axes of which extend in rearwardly convergingrelation. Rotatably mounted on each of the spindles 4:6, isv a chopperdisc 43, with each set of discs arranged with their convei; surfaces inconfronting relation and with the discs of cach set arranged in angularrelation and converging toward their leading edges. The distance betweenthe leading edges of each set of discs will determine the size of thehills to be formed when the implement is moved transversely of theplanted rows.

Each of the chopper structures B further includes a lift arm 50 providedat its forward end with a split head 51 which is adapted to be igidlyclamped to one of the square rocker shafts as by means of a bolt 52. Therear end of the lift arm is forked for providing a pair of parallelspaced apart arms 53 and between which is pivotally mounted as by meansof trunnions 54, a guide block 55 provided with bore 56 having its axisextending at a right angle to the Slidably mounted. in the bore 56 ofthe guide block 55, is a rod 57 the lower end of which is pivot-allyconnected as by means lof a bolt 58, between upstanding lugs 59preferably formed integral with the bearing blocks A cap 60 Vmay beprovided for the upper end of the rod 57 for limiting its downwardmovement through the guide block This rod 57 is provided adjacent itslower end with a number of transverse keyways G1 for receiving asuitable pin 62, and an expansion coil spring 63 eneircles the rod withits upper end enn gagingV the lower side of the guide block 55 and itslower end engaging a suitable washer G11 held by the pin 62. Thus itwill be seen that this expansion spring 63 normally tends to force therod 57 downwardly through the guide block 55.

The cultivator C, and one of which is disposed between each of thechopper structures B, each embodies a beam 65 beingl of greater lengththan the disc beams L11, and each beam 65 is provided at its forward endwith a forked head 66 which is adapted to be rotatably mounted upon thetransverse drag shaft 35 between the disc beam head 42. These beams 65,and which extend rearf chopper discs 48;

wardly past the discs 48; have mounted at eiirrear ends suitable bladand which as willi be seen from, Figure l, en.-

gage the .ground between.- each! of the sets of l? e `hanger frame D',which serves as a support for vthe rear end of the' cultivator beams 65,is preferably formed of independent sections and '70', with the section70 arranged behind andcooperating with the rocker shaft section 38,.and. the hanger section1 7 O cooperating with the rocker shaft section38. Each of the hanger sections 70 and 7.0 `embody rearwardly extending'inner and outer. pivot arms 7l and 72 respectively, the forward end;`of.- which arms are pivotally mountedrod 78 mounted in the rear endsofthe run.- ners 20." Rotatably mounted at the rear end; he pivot arms7l and 72, are hanger shafts 74 andf75- arranged4 in axial. alignmentand associated respectively with the hanger sections 70 and 70:. Thesehanger shafts 7 4 and 75 are adapted to have the rear portions of thecultivator beams (55 rest freely thereupon, and: by observing Figure litwill be seen that the media-ily disposed cultivator beam is permittedto rest upon theinner end of 74 and 75,` and capable of being adjustedlongitudinally therealong, are suitable gauge rollers 76 for gauging thedepth of the cultivator blades 67.. These rollers 7 6 are adjustablealong,

in order that the rollers may be disposed out of the path of the leadingedges of the discs 48.

`Referring now to the for movement of the structures B and C into and`out of working; positions, one of these elevating means is provided foreach of the rocker sha-.ft sections 88 and 38 and their companion hangersections 70 and 70 respectively. Eachl of the elevating means E. foi:independent operation of certain sets of the structures B and C,embodies a liftine lever 8O rigidly carried one by each of the rockershaft sections 38Y and 38, and these levers preferably extend rearwardlyfrom the rocker shaft and each is provided with a suitable latchmechanism provided with a `keeper 82. Rigidly carried by the cross raill5, at each side of the longitudinal center of the rail., are toothedsegments 83 and 84 which extend rearwardly over the respective rockershaftsections 38 and 38. Rigidly clainped at their forward. ends to.opposite VendsL of the shaft es or sweeps 67,`

upon a transversely extendingV elevatingv means E sections` 38l andi38", are lift arms 85 and186respiec1- tively, and pivotallly connected.to the rear end of eachA lift arm, is a hanger link 8:7 the *lower endof which is pivotally conifiected to the respective pivotV arms 71. andiinner and outer By observing Figure2g. it will be seen that when thelifting lever isf swung upward.- ly, that the rear end of its respectivelift` arms and 86' will also beswung up wardly, and by reason' of thepivoted hanger links 87, the respective pivot will swing upwardly aboutthe rod 73 andi elevate the cultivator blades 67 to a posi.- tion abovethe bottom surface of the run.- ners- 20. .This rotating ofthe rockershaft by means of the lever 80, also swings the redhead (SO and elevatethe chopper discs 8 to a position above the lower surface of' therunners 20. The structures B andi @l may be retained in an elevatedinoperative position by means ofthe keeper 82 engaging in suitable teethof its respective segment. l/Vhen the lever 8O is swung downwardly foilowering of the structures Bgand C, and locked at a desired position bymeans of the keeper 82, the expansion springI 63' willi serve toyieldably cause the discs48 to penetrate the ground to any desireddepth. This spring 63 also serves for permitting the sets of discs tomove upwardly when Y striking an obstruction.

Wvhile the implement has been sl'i'owir as embodying independentsections `which may be raised or loweredA by independent elevati-- ingmeans, such has merely been provided for enabling the operator to easilyraise*- and lower the sections, and if so desired the shaft sections 38and 88', and. the sha-ft sections 74 and 75- may be formed in one pieceand` operated by only one ofthe ele-- vating means-D; It will of coursebeun* derstood lthat any' desired number ofthe structures B and @may beprovided in accordance with the desired size of the implements.v i

Mounted on the drag shaft 35, between the arms ofI eachL of theforl'edbeam heads 42 and 66, are collars 90 each provided` with aV setscrew 91 whereby the collars may be1 lockedto the shaft 35 for retainingthe' forked beam head in` adjusted positions along the drag shaft. Itwill readily be apparent the manner in which the forked" beam heads 42and 66-inay be adjusted longitudinally along the shaft 35 for varyingithe distance between the hills tok be formed by each setof chopper discs48. The collars arranged between the beam heads 66 will permit ofthecultivators to be centered between their adjacent sets of chopper discs`48i, Then varying the spacing'between thed Cil ' provided at sets ofchopper discs 48, it will become necessary to change the positions olthe runnersV 2O and gauge rollers 76 in order to dispose the runners androllers out of the path of the leading edges of the chopper discs,and/'forthis reason the runners Q0 and rollers 76 have been madeadjustable transversely of the implement.

In operation, and when the implement is being drawn transversely acrossthe drills or rows, the discs 48 will cultivate the ground and each setwill cut the rows o plants for forming the desired hills, while theblades G7 traveling in the rear of the chopper blades and between, eachset of blades, will cultivate between the hills, 'that portion of theground not turned by the discs d8.

Fromthe foregoing descriptionit will be apparent that an extremely noveland eilicient cross row cotton chopper has been provided embodyingcultivating blades and rolling discs adjustable for permitting ofvarioiiis distancesbeing formed between hills of the young plants, andembodying adjustable ground engaging portions so adjustable with respectto the rolling chop per discs asto be disposed out of the path of theleading edges of the discs when the discs ai'e adfusted to variouswidths.

Changes in detail may be made to the specific form of the inventionherein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the following claims:

I claim:

vl. A cotton chopper comprising a truck embodying a frame and runnersfor suporting the frame, of the frame, independent chopper structurespivotally mounted on said shaft and each embodying a set of angularlyarranged chopper discs, and independent cultivators pivotally mounted onthe shaft between each pivotal mounting of the chopper structures andembodying beams extending rearwardly between each set of chopper discsand their rear ends with blades for penetrating the soil between thesets of chopper discs.

2. A cotton chopper comprising a truck embodying av frame and runnersfor supporting the frame, a shaft mounted transversely of the frame,chopper structures pivotally mount-ed on said shaft and adjustablelongitudinally therealong, and each embodying a set ofangularly arrangedchopper discs, and cultivators pivotally mounted on the shaft betweeneach pivotal mounting of the chopper structures and adjustablelongitudinally along the shaft, said cultivators embodying beamsextending rearwardly between each set of chopper discs and provided attheir rear ends with blades for penetrating the soil at a point midway ashaft mounted transverselyk y pivotally between the sets of adjustablechopper discs.

3. A cotton chopper comprising a truck embodying a porting the frame,

a shaft mounted transversely of the frame, independent chopperstructures pivotally mounted at their forward ends on said shaft andeach embodying a set of angularly arranged chopper discs, independentcultivators pivotally mounted at their forward ends on the shaft betweeneach pivotal mounting of the chopper structures and embodying beamsextending rearwardly between blades for penetrating the sets of chopperdiscs, means for the chopper structures and cultivators for swinging thesame upwardly about their pivotal connections with said soil between theI shaft.

4l. A cotton. chopper comprising a truck embodying a frame and runnersfor supporting the frame, a shaft mounted transversely of the frame,chopper structures pivotally mounted on said shaft and each embodying aset of angularly arrange chopper discs, a hanger frame pivotally mountedon the truck and embodying a transverse hanger shaft arranged rearwardlyof the chopper discs, cultivators pivotally mounted on said firstmentioned shaft between each pivotal mounting of the chopper structuresand embodying beams extending rearwardly between each set of chopperdiscs and resting at their rear ends on said hanger shaft, and means forswinging said hanger frame upwardly about its pivotal connection forelevating of the cultivators.

5. A- cotton chopper comprising a truck embodying a frame and runnersfor supporting the frame, a drag shaft mounted transversely of the turespivotally mounted on said shaft and each embodying a set of angularlyarranged chopper discs, a hanger frame pivotally mounted on said truckand embodying a hanger shaft'extending transversely of the truck behindsaid chopper disc, cultivators mounted on the shaft between each pivotalmounting of the chopper structures and embodying beams extendingrearward 1y between each set of chopper discs and resting freely attheir rear ends upon said hanger Y shaft, and an elevating meansoperatively connected with said chopper structures an cultivators forunitary movement of the sameA into and out of ground penetratingpositions,

6. A cotton chopper comprising a truck embodying a frame and runners forsupporting the frame, a drag shaft mounted transversely of the frame,chopper structures pivotally and said shaft and each embodying a set ofangularly arranged chopper discs, a hanger frame and runners for supc Yeach set of chopper discs and provided at their rear ends with and asingle elevatingv frame, chopper struc-k adjustably mounted onframepivotally mounted on the truck and embodying a hanger shaft extendingtransversely of the truek to the rear of said chopper discs, oultivatorspivotally and adjustably mounted on the shaft between each pivotalmounting of the chopper structures and embodying' beams extendingrearwardly between each set of Chopper dises and rest-ing freely attheir rear ends upon said hanger shaft, and gauge wheels mounted on saidhanger shaft and adjustable longitudinally therealong out of the pathor' the leading` edges of said chopper discs.

7. In a cotton chopper, a frame, a drag shaft mounted transversely ofthe frame, a rocker shaft mounted parallel with and to the rear of thedrag shaft, draw bars pivotally mounted upon said drag shaft and er:-tending rearwardly below said rocker shaft, a set of angularly arrangedChopper discs mounted at the rear of each draw bar, cultivatorspivotally mounted on the haft between each pivotal mountingT of saiddraw bars and each embodying a draw bar eX- tending rearwardly betweeneach set of chopper discs, means for supporting the rear portions of thecultivator and chopper dise draw bars, and operatively connected to saidrocker shaft, and means for rotating the rocker shaft for unitaryraising and lowering of all of the draw bars about their pivotalmounting on the drag shaft.

8. A cotton chopper' comprising a supporting frame, runners forsupporting the frame and adjustable transversely of the frame7 a shaftmounted transversely of the frame, chopper structures pivotally mountedon said shaft and adjustable longitudinally therealong, and eachembodying a set of angularly arranged chopper discs, oultivatorspivotally mounted on the shaft between each pivotal mounting of thechopper structures and adjustable longitudinally along the shaft, andembodying beams extending rearwardly between each set of Chopper discs,a hanger frame for supporting the rear ends of said cultivator beams7and elevating means for the chopper structures and cultivators.

HARRY A. TURNER.

